1. Skepticism is a belief that all beliefs can be proved false; thus, to avoid the ---- of being wrong, it is best to believe nothing.

satisfaction
confidence
frustration
penetration
unification

2. It is commonly thought that a tree standing alone is more ---- struck, though in some forest areas, lightning scars can be seen on almost every tree.

deliberately
astonishingly
predictably
frequently
contradictorily

3. Eagles locate and catch dead fish much more rapidly and efficiently than live fish, because dead fish ---- with their light underside up, making them easier to see.

float
depict
sink
strand
convene

4. Born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, W.E.B. Du Bois became the most ---- and effective spokesperson for the full rights of African Americans before World War II.

respected
unbearable
insignificant
manipulated
vaccinated

5. Contrary to popular belief, present-day historians see the Renaissance as an economic ---- and argue that a lot of peasants and urban poor, the majority of the population, worsened during this period.

progression
evolution
regression
flexibility
legend

6. Egypt, the Arab world's most populous country, has gone on high alert after a warning from the UN that the ---- bird flu could hit North Africa and the Middle East.

elaborate
amusing
confident
deadly
determined

7. Great earthquakes usually begin with slight tremors but ---- take the form of one or more violent shocks, and end in vibrations of gradually diminishing force called aftershocks.

desperately
rapidly
abundantly
considerately
furiously

8. The rebels ---- the police station killing twenty-three police officers and freeing about fifty prisoners.

took over
got by
looked after
ran over
came across

9. At least 2,000 domestic and international flights were disrupted by the storm, when it knocked out electricity and ---- roofs, towers, fences and other equipment.

destroyed
declared
interrupted
contributed
eliminated

10. Over the past decade the energy ---- of America has increased by more than 12 percent, while its production has increased by less than 1 percent.